Nectarine tree ‘S 6816’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of nectarine tree ( Prunus persica  L. Batsch) named ‘S 6816’ is disclosed. The fruit of ‘S 6816’ is oblate, yellow fleshed, and freestone, and is notable for its early maturity and very sweet flavor.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Prunus persicaL. Batsch.

Variety denomination: ‘S 6816’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new nectarine tree ‘S 6816’ was developed by the Institut Nationalde la Recherche Argonomique (INRA) at Angers, France, as part of acontrolled breeding program. ‘S 6816’ was one of several seedlingsresulting from a cross of [(Kiang-Si×Independence)×Summergrand]×Marsun(all unpatented). ‘S 6816’ was asexually propagated by budding atAngers, France, and has been observed to remain true to type oversuccessive asexually propagated generations.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘S 6816’ was selected for its suitability as a commercial nectarine treecultivar. Fruit of the ‘S 6816’ cultivar matures in late July in centralWashington state, and is notable for its aromatic and sweet yellowflesh. The fruit of ‘S 6816’ is distinguishable from that of the parentvarieties by its flat shape and smooth skin. The characteristics whichdistinguish ‘S 6816’ from its parents are set forth in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Variety Fruit Type Shape Flesh Color S 6816 Nectarine FlatYellow Kiang-Si Peach Flat Yellow Independence Nectarine Round YellowSummergrand Nectarine Round Yellow Marsun Peach Round Yellow

This variety is distinguishable over related variety ‘S 6817’ (U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/642,441) by its earlier maturity date andsmaller and sweeter fruit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

FIG. 1 shows branches and blossoms of the new cultivar;

FIG. 2 shows a tree of the new cultivar;

FIG. 3 shows leaves of the new cultivar;

FIG. 4 shows a leaf, a stone, and a portion of a fruit of the newcultivar;

FIG. 5 shows fruit of the new cultivar; and

FIG. 6 shows a sectioned fruit of the new cultivar.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of ‘S 6816,’ a new anddistinct nectarine tree, based on observations made during the 2004growing season, of specimens planted at Parker, Wash., USA, in 1999. Thedescribed trees were grown on ‘Lovell’ (not patented) rootstock. Allcolors are described according to The Royal Horticultural Society ColorChart. It should be understood that the botanical and analyticalcharacteristics described will vary somewhat depending upon culturalpractices and climatic conditions, and can vary with location andseason. Quantified measurements are expressed as an average ofmeasurements taken from a number of individual plants of the newvariety. The measurements of any individual plant, or any group ofplants, of the new variety may vary from the stated average.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Large, width 2.2 m wide, height 3.4 m.        -   Vigor.—Strong.        -   Habit.—Upright.        -   Trunk.—Diameter 31 cm at soil level; very rough; overcolor            grey 201D; undercolor grey 175A; lenticels prominent, 0.3 to            0.5 cm, yellow 159A.        -   Branches.—Smooth, greyed red 181A, internode length 3.1 to            3.8 cm, lateral branch diameter 1.8 cm, length 46.2 cm            (previous season growth).-   Leaves:    -   -   Young shoot — length of stipule.—Medium.        -   Size.—Length 10.5 cm; 4.0 cm.        -   Ratio length to width.—Medium.        -   Shape.—Lanceolate, base rounded, apex acuminate, recurved,            cross section concave.        -   Color.—Upper surface green 146A, lower surface green N144A,            upper venation color green 154D.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Margin.—Serrate to serrulate.-   Petiole:    -   -   Size.—Length 1.5 cm, diameter 0.2 cm.        -   Color.—Green 154D.        -   Glands.—Present, usually 2, reniform.-   Flowers:    -   -   Bud.—Length 0.9 to 1.1 cm, round, smooth, hardy, red-purple            59A, tip pink 62A.        -   Bud burst.—March 18 at Parker, Wash.        -   Bloom period.—March 18 to April 7 at Parker, Wash.        -   Flower type.—Showy, fragrant, 1 to 4 per cluster.        -   Petals.—Quantity 5; length 1.8 to 2.1 cm, width 1.3 to 1.5            cm; margins ruffled, overlapping; shape obovate to rotund;            color pink 69A.        -   Sepals.—Length 0.5 to 0.6 cm; width 0.4 to 0.5 cm; color            red-purple 59A.        -   Flower size.—Diameter 3.5 to 3.7 cm.        -   Reproductive organs.—Stamen white 155D, quantity 39, length            1.0 to 1.3 cm; anther length 0.5 cm, brown 199A; filament            0.9 to 1.2 cm; pistil 0.9 to 1.0 cm, smooth, yellow 3A.        -   Pollen.—Scarce, yellow 1A.-   Fruit:    -   -   Size.—Small, diameter 70 mm, height 4.0 cm.        -   Shape (ventral view).—Broad oblate.        -   Shape of pistil end.—Weakly depressed.        -   Symmetry.—Symmetric.        -   Prominence of suture.—Weak.        -   Depth of stalk cavity.—Shallow, 0.5 cm.        -   Width of stalk cavity.—Broad, 2.8 cm.        -   Skin.—Color: ground color orange-red 34C, over color            red-purple 59A; thin, smooth, tenacious.        -   Pubescence.—Absent.        -   Firmness of flesh.—Soft.        -   Ground color of flesh.—Yellow-orange 17C.        -   Anthocyanin coloration directly under skin.—Absent or very            weakly expressed.        -   Anthocyanin coloration of flesh.—Absent or very weakly            expressed.        -   Anthocyanin coloration around stone.—Present, red-purple            59C.        -   Pit cavity.—Diameter 3.0 cm, color red-purple 59C.        -   Texture of flesh.—Not fibrous.        -   Sweetness.—Very sweet, 12° Brix.        -   Acidity.—Low.-   Stone:    -   -   Size.—Small, diameter 3.0 cm.        -   Shape in lateral view.—Oblate.        -   Color.—Red-purple 59C.        -   Relief of surface.—Small pits, ridges.        -   Tendency of splitting at peak harvest.—Absent or very low.        -   Adherence to flesh.—Absent (freestone).-   Time of maturity for consumption: Early, late July in Parker, Wash.-   Tendency to preharvest drop: Absent or very weak.-   Resistance to diseases and pests: None observed.-   Heat and cold tolerance: Tolerant in area tested (USDA Zone 6).

1. A new and distinct nectarine tree, substantially as shown and described herein. 